Why Voice Therapy?

Having a voice that doesn’t match one’s gender identity can cause stress and unhappiness, compound anxiety and/or trigger gender dysphoria.

Developing a natural-sounding voice that matches one’s gender expression, whether it is masculine, feminine, gender-neutral, or any of a spectrum of identities, can improve quality of life. Doing so with professional guidance addresses the full range of communication variables and lowers the risk of damaging the delicate tissues of the vocal folds and surrounding structures, "damage that can include lesions, hemorrhage, scarring, polyps, nodules, muscle tension, and inflammation."
(n.d.). The Sound of One's Own Voice. Retrieved from https://hms.harvard.edu/magazine/voices/sound-ones-own-voice

Voice and communication are crucial aspects of daily life for all humans. Within the transgender community this is often brought to the forefront when a mismatch between gender identity and voice/communication style are perceived. Verbal and nonverbal communication are highly related to gender and culture. Altering the aspects of voice and communication related to gender have been reported to reduce gender dysphoria while improving mental health and quality of life.
(2016, June 17). Transgender voice and communication - vocal health and considerations. Retrieved from https://transcare.ucsf.edu/guidelines/vocal-health

How We Speak
Located in Santa Cruz, CA
​707.497.9227